Build family communication and togetherness by having a weekly toy game hobby night. It is so easy these days to let work, school, and the business of life rule the day, that we can easily lose touch with each other. If we get together one night each week for a toy game hobby night, we can rekindle those family ties.

Those families with small children will probably focus more on the toy aspect of the toy game hobby night. Take the time to get down on the floor and play with those youngsters. Cuddle those dollies and call yourself “grandma” or “grandpa.” Push those trucks around and pretend right along with the kids. If your back can take it, let them take turns riding you like a horse while you crawl around and neigh. Every kid loves that!

On warm evenings, try toy game hobby night in the sand box at the park. Using an old mesh produce bag, collect a variety of suitable sand toys to take along. These toys include various containers, a few wheeled vehicles, toy garden tools, and cast-off kitchen utensils. In the sandbox with your kids, you can create towns with roads, castles, or just about anything.

Modeling dough is also a great activity for toy game hobby night. Collect some small cookie cutters and old jar lids (for pans) and create fancy cookies and desserts – inedible and calorie-free, of course! The kids can turn a large box on it’s side for a counter and place the goodies on display to sell. Of course, you’ll pretend to buy, eat, and enjoy!

Some fun games for family night include card games like Uno, board games like Candy Land or Life, and dominoes. When choosing games to play there are several things to consider. Is Scrabble, for instance, fun for everyone, or does all the spelling and thinking feel like work to some of the players? Does the game take forever to play, so that some players’ attention spans play out? Does the game encourage merciless competition, like Monopoly, leaving losers feeling left out? It’s important for kids to learn how to lose and still have fun. Don’t “throw” the game, intentionally letting them win all the time, but don’t mercilessly beat them every time either. Make it fun. If losing is a problem for some of the kids, check out some of the new cooperative games where everyone is on the same team.

Hobbies are also great to share as a family. Maybe your family would be interested in pursuing musical skills together. Families make great singing groups because their voices match well. If that’s not for you, maybe you’d all enjoy fishing. Square dancing is fun for some families, while others enjoy playing badminton or other active games and sports. The important thing is to have fun together.

Having a toy game hobby night every week will help you stay close to your kids as they grow up. It will keep the bond of love fresh and the lines of communication open. Plan a toy game hobby night this week!

GO READ A BOOK!

Children who are read to at home do better in school. That’s just a fact. And what a fabulous way to let your child feel your love for them, too! Spending time with their parents is the thing children want most – not toys, and fancy gifts. Yes – the materialistic side of them wants all of that stuff, but, their little spirits are longing for just some time. There’s nothing you can spend that is more important on a child than time. So reading to your child is helping to develop the whole child – sounds like a great plan to me!

Here is a great article about reading to our children on a regular basis:

*************************************

6 Ways to Make Reading to Your Child a Habit

by: Kids Activity Calendar

Words can open up a world of knowledge and adventure for your children, and reading to them is so important in their development.

Here are 6 ways to make reading to your child a habit.

• Set up a book shelf in your child’s room and place all of his or her books there.
• Read your child’s favorite book over and over.
• Go to the library and let your child pick out books.
• Read together with your child.
• Read to your child at bedtime every night.
• Choose a book with a particular character whose stories are serialized (for instance Amelia Bedelia, Harry Potter, or Magic Treehouse).

For some, perhaps the only time you read to your child is when Santa or the Easter Bunny makes their appearance every year. Reading to your child should be a daily and ongoing event. Perhaps you do read to your child frequently, and become caught up in one particular book that your child absolutely loves. Whether that is the case or not, this is the beginning of their interest in books and stories. Have you noticed the huge variety of children’s books available today? This is due to the fact that reading has become the focal point in our society, especially since many public school children are lacking in reading skills.

Have your child participate in the act of picking out books by taking them to your local library. Sign them up with their own library card. The myriad of books are overwhelming, and there are certainly enough from which your child can choose his particular genre. All the colorful books and titles are incentive enough for your child to take home a stack of books for you to read at bedtime. Has your child become fascinated with a particular magazine, either at a store or a medical office? If so, subscribe to the magazine in your child’s name. Think of how excited they will be when their magazine arrives!

Do you have bookshelves at home filled with books? This is no longer the case today. Children can have their own private mini library at home. Between garage sales, discount racks, and bargain books, you can find books to fit any budget. Undoubtedly, this will give them a sense of ownership as well. While you are having family dinner, why not discuss the stories you have read to your child. This will keep the interest alive and your child will be full of anticipation; wanting to know more about the characters they have come to love.

These 6 ways to make reading to your child a habit are just the beginning of a long journey leading to enlightenment. The bond you form with your child by reading to them is immeasurable. The stories can take you and your child on new and exciting adventures every time you open a new book. Take the time to read to your child. It is that important!

Article by:
Nicole Dean co-created www.kidsactivitycalendar.com to help her child and others prepare for Kindergarten in a fun way. To get your free sample lesson, stop by www.kidsactivitycalendar.com/letter-a-sample.htm today.

******************************************

GO READ A BOOK!

Last week, schools across the country celebrated Read Across America, the nation’s largest reading celebration, and this year was the tenth anniversary of the event.
And since March 2 was The Cat in the Hat’s 50th birthday, the focus all week was on Dr. Seuss.

I know my kids had a blast at their school! Each day of the week focused on a different Dr. Seuss book, and had corresponding funny/interesting attire:

Monday was Oh, The Places You Go, and the children were asked to wear a t-shirt from a place they have been.

Tuesday was Green Eggs and Ham, and the children were asked to wear green.

Wednesday was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and the children were asked to wear a red shirt and blue pants/jeans.

Thursday was The Foot Book, and the children were asked to wear their silly socks.

Friday was Cat in the Hat and the children were asked to wear their favorite hat to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday!

They were selling the stovepipe hats at school for only $5, and each of my kids bought one. They tried to buy one for my nephew in Texas, but, there weren’t enough left.

It was funny, because, on the same day that my daughter bought her hat, here in Alabama, my nephew was visited by The Cat in the Hat at his school, in Texas! It was a great way for my 3 year old nephew to connect his scholastic experience with my 10 year old daughter’s experience! I thought that was really cool, since they are so far apart in age!

The National Education Agency website says that this is actually a year-round event, and that you can get involved in a number of ways. They list some of the ways right here: Ten Ways to Celebrate the Tenth Anniversary.

Once you’re done reading there…

GO READ A BOOK!

Take a short break from reading and check into Disney World packages! What an amazingly fun vacation spot! I loved it when my folks took me there – we really had a blast! That remains one of my most favorite vacations ever, even at 36 years old! I think I’ll never, ever forget that indoor rollercoaster! That thing was so cool – I think it was called Space Mountain – it was just totally awesome!

It really just totally blows me away that they have fifty-two theme parks out there! One that I really, really want to go see is the animals one – I can’t remember what it is called. The hotel that is right next to that one is so cool! Your room could have a balcony overlooking the giraffe enclosure – oh man! I would love to take the kids to see that!

And of course, there are tons of golf courses – and the beach is just forty minutes away.

Sounds like heaven!

GO READ A BOOK!

I found this meme about books and reading – very cool! Every week, the site owner poses a few questions, and we all answer them! Totally groovy!

You can click on the graphic to go to the site and read everyone’s responses in the comments section.

Ok, now for the questions…

1. Do you lend your books to other people? If so, any restrictions?

I do, sometimes, lend my books to other people, but, I definitely feel the tug of letting them go.

2. Do you borrow books from other people? (Friends or family—I’m not talking about the public library)

I do, but, I am very nervous about it, and try so hard to be careful with them. And although I might be thoroughly enjoying the book, I am eager to finish it so that I can return it and stop worrying.

3. And, most importantly—do the books you lend/borrow get returned to their rightful owners??

Eeks! This is a tough one, as I must admit I still have some books that I never returned. Oh my – I have two of the Jean Ayers Caveman books that I never returned – those are fabulous books! I feel even more guilty when they are really good books, you know?

On getting my own back, that sometimes happens and sometimes does not. I forgot I loaned one of the kids’ teachers the first Harry Potter book, and we’ve since lost contact with her and I think the kids will never let me forget that. Last summer, however, when I loaned out a Marilu Henner book, I repeatedly asked for it back, because I didn’t want to lose it. I didn’t want to lose the H.P. book, I just completely forgot about I had lent it to her.

Part of me believes that books are wonderful, joyous things and books are our friends – and they should be shared, with love in our hearts.

And the other half of me believes that my books are so precious to my heart, that I really don’t want to trust your grubby hands on them!

GO READ A BOOK!